Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of BarberrySide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look ForSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Barberry
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
Summary
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has long been used to treat digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, and loss of appetite. It’s also been studied as a remedy for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. It can be used topically to treat skin conditions like sores, acne, and minor wounds.
Barberry’s active ingredient is berberine, an important natural alkaloid that aids in many of the body’s processes.Barberry is a bush native to Europe, China, and North Africa that now grows wild in many regions of North America. Traditional Chinese medicine has used berberine-containing herbal remedies for more than 3,000 years.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Evidence for any potential benefits from barberry is extremely weak, though there are studies of berberine that may apply to barberry.
Any benefit from barberry likely relies on the fact that it contains berberine, for which medical uses are being established.
Supplement Facts
Diabetes
The hypoglycemic effect of berberine was originally discovered when berberine was used to treat diarrhea in diabetic people in China.
Berberine may slightly reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. One pilot study used 500 milligrams (mg) of berberine two to three times a day for up to three months. The researchers suggested blood sugar control as effective as metformin, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Further study is needed to confirm these results.
High Cholesterol
There is early evidence that berberine can help lower elevated cholesterol levels. Taking 500 milligrams of berberine twice daily for three months reduced elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Taking 1,000 milligrams of berberine with a cholesterol-lowering medication (such as simvastatin) was more effective in lowering cholesterol than using the prescription alone.
High Blood Pressure
One study of people with hypertension used berberine daily with blood pressure-lowering drugs. The combination reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) more effectively than taking amlodipine alone.
However, barberry’s effects alone on blood pressure remain unclear. A recent meta-analysis suggests limited, weak evidence that berberine helps lower blood pressure.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Research suggests that berberine improved the following in people withPCOS, a common hormonal disorder:
Another study showed that females with PCOS randomly selected to take berberine had greater pregnancy rates than metformin or placebo and fewer side effects when taken 12 weeks before IVF treatment.
Diarrhea
One of the most well-known uses for berberine is treating diarrhea and dysentery. Research for this purpose goes back to the middle of the 20th century.
The berberine group was also more likely to stop having diarrhea within 24 hours of treatment. However, there’s insufficient evidence to rate the effectiveness of berberine for diarrhea.
What Are the Side Effects of Barberry?
Do not take barberry without discussing it with your healthcare provider - especially if you take anticoagulants (blood thinners), blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, or diuretics (water pills).
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of barberry can include the following:
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects of barberry include the following:
Seek medical attention immediately should you have these symptoms after taking barberry.
Do keep the following precautions in mind when using Barberry:
Dosage: How Much Barberry Should I Take?
There is no established daily dosage for barberry.
Some barberry extracts provide the percentage of berberine contained, but not all. There is not enough evidence as to whether barberries in their whole food form provide enough berberine to produce any potential benefits.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Barberry?
Recommendations for barberry supplementation typically fall between 2 to 6 grams.It is not recommended to exceed this amount. Regardless of the amount ingested, monitoring yourself for any of the side effects mentioned above is always important.
The following interactions are possible with barberry:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Barberry
To maintain color and quality, be sure to refrigerate any whole-food barberries. If using them in the dried or tinctured form - store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Storage instructions do vary for different products. Carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container.
Other herbs that contain berberine include:
Do not take barberry alongside another supplement containing berberine.
Sources of Barberry & What to Look For
Barberry is traditionally consumed in its whole food form.
However, barberry can also be purchased as a prepared supplement in many health food stores and online.
Food Sources of Barberry
You can also try substituting some barberries for cranberries when baking (barberries are quite sour).
Barberries (zereshk) can be purchased at Mediterranean or Middle Eastern grocers, some health-food shops, or online.
Berberry Supplements
Barberry is available in tea, tincture, capsule, fluid extracts, dried herb, tablet forms, and topical ointment.
These organizations don’t guarantee a product is safe or effective. However, they indicate that it’s undergone testing for quality and accuracy.
Barberry has been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems around the world.
Its active ingredient is the alkaloid berberine, which has had beneficial effects on blood sugar, blood pressure, and PCOS in clinical studies. Barberry is often to used to alleviate diarrhea.
Further studies are needed to show how effective barberry is as a treatment. Please be aware of this when you add it to your diet.
Please consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist, or pharmacist before taking barberry, as it may affect your conditions or medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a bush native to Europe, China, and North Africa that now grows wild in many regions of North America.
The active ingredient in barberries is berberine - an important natural alkaloid that aids in many of the body’s processes.
Barberry is also available in tea, tincture, capsule, fluid extracts, dried herb, and tablet forms, as well as a topical ointment.
Learn MoreLearn More About Berberine
The barberry’s berries, roots, and stems have a long history as a folk remedy for digestive disorders - including constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, and loss of appetite.It is also used topically to treat skin conditions like sores, acne, and minor wounds.Research suggests that the berberine contained in barberries aids in lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and PCOS symptoms.Learn MoreLearn More About Berberine and PCOS
The barberry’s berries, roots, and stems have a long history as a folk remedy for digestive disorders - including constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, and loss of appetite.It is also used topically to treat skin conditions like sores, acne, and minor wounds.Research suggests that the berberine contained in barberries aids in lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and PCOS symptoms.
The barberry’s berries, roots, and stems have a long history as a folk remedy for digestive disorders - including constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, heartburn, and loss of appetite.
It is also used topically to treat skin conditions like sores, acne, and minor wounds.
Research suggests that the berberine contained in barberries aids in lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and PCOS symptoms.
Learn MoreLearn More About Berberine and PCOS
Barberry may cause both common and severe side effects. Common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea.Severe side effects include severe kidney irritation, convulsions, and dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.Learn MoreLearn More About VeryWell’s Supplementation Methodology
Barberry may cause both common and severe side effects. Common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea.Severe side effects include severe kidney irritation, convulsions, and dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.
Barberry may cause both common and severe side effects. Common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea.
Severe side effects include severe kidney irritation, convulsions, and dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.
Learn MoreLearn More About VeryWell’s Supplementation Methodology
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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